Feb 23, 2013 - Warm temps and an otter family

From Ortona Lock COE Park near LaBelle, FL ... Saturday, February 23, 2012 Other than a couple trips into Fort Myers, we've enjoyed a quiet relaxing week here at Ortona Lock. After a couple days in the 70s, the past few have been up in the mid to high 80s. Seems like summer if you ask me. Not that we complain knowing how cold it is back home. It was so warm today, but we spent most of the day outside, riding our bikes, sitting in the shade reading, and doing a few chores. Tonight I prepared some marinara sauce with meatballs over pasta...

Feb 17, 2013 - Fun Family Weekend

From Ortona Lock COE Park near LaBelle, FL ... Sunday, February 17, 2013 We left Ortona Lock early Saturday morning and drove to Ormond Beach to spend a couple days with Charlie's family. We stopped about halfway through the trip for breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Fort Pierce. We were somewhat surprised that the trip took us around 4 1/2 hours. We arrived at Walt and Chris' home around 1:00, and it was really good to see everyone. Charlie's sister and husband Pam and Richard were there from WV, and his "baby" sister Missy was there from DE....

Jan 18, 2013 - Manatee Viewing

The "Gentle Giant" manatee cannot survive in water that is colder than the mid 60 degree range ... so when it gets cold in Florida and the water cools down too much, manatee head for warmer water. Water from Blue Spring remains a constant 72 degrees ... so ... it becomes a perfect manatee refuge. On any given day in the winter, from a few to a couple hundred manatee can show up. Today there were just over 30 according to park officials. We saw a few and were fascinated with their gentle ways. Over 1,000,000 gallons per day flow out of this...

Jan 18, 2013 - Surf's up ... and serious today!

The cold front finally got here ... not that we wanted it to come ... but as weather usually does, it has its own mind and said, "I'm coming to Florida today." The temps went down about 20 degrees ... the winds changed and today are coming strong out of the NE ... I guess we're having a Florida Nor-Easter. I wouldn't suggest using a row boat out there today.

Jan 17, 2013 - Daytona Int'l Speedway

Can't visit Daytona Beach area without a stop at the Daytona International Speedway. We did the extended tour ... around the track, stopping at several locations of interest and notoriety, including pits, fan area in center track, RV area, drivers meeting area, press box, winners circle ... it was a great tour. Once again ... smarter when I left than when I arrived. Enjoy the pics.

Jan 17, 2013 - Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse

The Ponce de Leon Lighthouse at Misquito Inlet (original name) south of Daytona Beach, soaring 175 feet into the sky, is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the nation. It began operation in 1887 and has operated continuously since then. My aching bones decided a climb of the 203 steps was not in order today ... maybe another time. View from the top must be terrific. We enjoyed the "low down" views anyway.

Jan 15, 2013 - Daytona Beach

Spent some time at the Boardwalk / Pier area on Daytona Beach today ... learned lots of new stuff. This town wouldn't be here if it weren't for "speed". Time trials and races were run on the beach from the early 1900's actually beginning in Ormond Beach where we are staying. Eventually, as the speeds got larger and more space was needed between tide and beach, the races were moved to the Daytona Beach area. It wasn't until in the '50s sometime that the Daytona International Speedway was built ... before that they'd race north on the beach,...

Jan 14, 2013 - Tomoka / Bulow Creek State Parks

Just north of Ormond Beach are several state parks ... we visited two, today. Tomoka State Park is former home to a Native American community ... and is a bird-watchers paradise with more than 160 species sighted ... not by me today, but would love to spend more time here. Bulow Creek State Park protects one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak along Florida's east coast. The Fairchild Oak (pictured) is dated variously at 400 - 2000 years old. It takes 12 people with arms outstretched to cover the circumference of the tree...

Jan 13, 2013 - Life is a Beach ... in Florida

Beginning today ... a week in a condo on the Atlantic Ocean in Ormond Beach, Florida (Daytona Beach area). Feeling sorry for family in Wisconsin this week who are experiencing cold weather ... forcast here is high 70's to low 80's for the week. OK ... not feeling real sorry!!

Dec 29, 2012 - Winter Has Arrived

From Ormond Beach, FL, visiting Family! Saturday, December 29, 2012 Well, we made it to Florida today! After a stopover this morning in Savannah, GA, one of our favorite towns. We had an early lunch at The River House. Lots of times we have eaten there and had their Caesar Salad, tossed tableside, and cup of Lobster Bisque. The soup was very good, but the salad was disappointing. They no longer toss it "tableside" and in fact it tasted as if it were tossed yesterday - yuck. I guess we won't be ordering that again. :( (I'm simply stating...

Sep 4, 2012 - We're Home!

As you can see by the map we made a beeline home. We took I-40 to Memphis then turned south through northeast Mississippi and central Alabama to I-75 in Georgia. I really don’t like taking I-40 because it’s pretty boring and there are so many trucks but it is the fastest way home. We spent a night in Albuquerque at American RV Park which we had stayed at before; one in Weatherford, Ok where we stayed at what was essentially a trailer park but they had a space available; a night in Alma, AR at the KOA which has a great saltwater pool and is...

Jul 10, 2012 - Family Reunion ! Ormond Beach, FL

We finally made it the family reunion at Ormond Beach. The hotel is right on the beach, as were our RV sites. The breeze off the ocean countered the heat and humidity, so it was tolerable. Had a great time visiting with family.